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United States Patent |
6,171,205
|
Hummel
|
January 9, 2001
|
Volleyball training device
Abstract
A volleyball player training device especially useful for teaching
volleyball players to block and tip a volleyball at the volleyball net is
disclosed. The device includes a frame which may be removably fastened to
the volleyball net, a volleyball, and a pedestal or support extending
upwardly from the frame for holding a volleyball above the volleyball net.
During use, a player may block or tip the volleyball causing it to be
pivoted from its supported position above the net. A return mechanism
returns the volleyball to its supported position placing it in position to
be blocked or tipped again.
Inventors:
|
Hummel; Larry (P.O. Box 1791, R.R. #1, Sidney, IA 51652)
|
Appl. No.:
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249540 |
Filed:
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February 12, 1999 |
Current U.S. Class: |
473/459; 473/426; 473/462; 473/473 |
Intern'l Class: |
A63B 069/00 |
Field of Search: |
473/459,575,415-430,462-464
2/22,2
D2/27
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3602504 | Aug., 1971 | Chapman et al.
| |
3897950 | Aug., 1975 | Keller.
| |
4022471 | May., 1977 | Keller.
| |
4372561 | Feb., 1983 | Morgan et al. | 473/459.
|
4842284 | Jun., 1989 | Russhing et al.
| |
4881742 | Nov., 1989 | Hargreave.
| |
4887821 | Dec., 1989 | Greene et al. | 473/459.
|
5060946 | Oct., 1991 | Taylor.
| |
5062646 | Nov., 1991 | Crist.
| |
5238251 | Aug., 1993 | Staka | 473/429.
|
5460385 | Oct., 1995 | Lazzeroni.
| |
5470056 | Nov., 1995 | Dennesen.
| |
5472212 | Dec., 1995 | Bercaw.
| |
5669834 | Sep., 1997 | Slupskiy | 473/459.
|
5692978 | Dec., 1997 | Hummel.
| |
Other References
Volleyball Equipment or the 21.sup.st Century.
|
Primary Examiner: Chapman; Jeanette
Assistant Examiner: Aryanpour; Mitra
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Suiter & Associates PC
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/080,998, filed Apr. 7, 1998. Said U.S.
Provisional application Ser. No. 60/080,998 is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A volleyball player training device comprising:
a frame attachable to a volleyball net;
a generally vertical support extending upwardly from said frame, said
support having an upper end including a pedestal for pivotally supporting
a volleyball above said support;
a volleyball pivotally supported by said pedestal;
a return mechanism mounted to the upper end of said support below said
pedestal for returning said volleyball from the displaced position to the
substantially upright position; and
an attachment assembly mounted to said frame for removably attaching said
frame to the volleyball net wherein said volleyball is supported above the
volleyball net by said support.
2. The volleyball player training device according to claim 1, wherein the
frame comprises a perimeter having two substantially vertical side frame
members, a substantially horizontal upper frame member, and a
substantially horizontal lower frame member.
3. The volleyball player training device according to claim 2, wherein the
support extends upwardly from said substantially horizontal upper frame
member.
4. The volleyball player training device according to claim 1, wherein said
frame and said support are formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe.
5. The volleyball training device according to claim 1, wherein said
volleyball may pivot between a substantially upright position supported by
the upper end of said support and a displaced position at an angle to said
support.
6. The volleyball player training device according to claim 4, wherein said
return mechanism comprises a spring.
7. The volleyball player training device according to claim 1, wherein said
attachment assembly comprises a belt having a reusable hook-and-loop
fastener material closure.
8. A volleyball player training device comprising:
a frame attachable to a volleyball net;
a volleyball;
a generally vertical support extending upwardly from said frame, said
support having an upper end including a pedestal for pivotally supporting
said volleyball above said support so that said volleyball may pivot
between a substantially upright position supported by the upper end of
said support and a displaced position at an angle to said support;
a return mechanism mounted to the upper end of said support below said
pedestal for returning said volleyball from the displaced position to the
substantially upright position; and
an attachment assembly mounted to said frame for removably attaching said
frame to the volleyball net wherein said volleyball is supported above the
volleyball net by said support.
9. The volleyball player training device according to claim 8, wherein the
periphery of said frame comprises two substantially vertical side frame
members, a substantially horizontal upper frame member, and a
substantially horizontal lower frame member.
10. The volleyball player training device according to claim 9, wherein the
support extends upwardly from said substantially horizontal upper frame
member.
11. The volleyball player training device according to claim 8, wherein
said frame and support are formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe.
12. The volleyball player training device according to claim 8, wherein
said return mechanism comprises a spring.
13. The volleyball player training device according to claim 9, wherein
said attachment assembly comprises a belt having a reusable hook-and-loop
fastener material closure.
14. A volleyball player training device, comprising:
a frame suitable for being attached to a volleyball net;
at least one support extending upwardly from said frame, said support
having an upper end including a pedestal for pivotally supporting a
volleyball above said support; and
a return mechanism mounted to the upper end of said support below said
pedestal for returning said volleyball front the displaced position to the
substantially upright position;
wherein the volleyball may pivot between a substantially upright position
supported by the upper end of said support and a displaced position at an
angle to said support.
15. The volleyball player training device according to claim 14, wherein
said return mechanism comprises a spring coupled to and extending between
said support and the volleyball.
16. The volleyball player training device according to claim 14, further
comprising an attachment assembly mounted to said frame for removably
attaching said frame to the volleyball net wherein the volleyball may be
supported above the volleyball net by said support.
17. The volleyball player training device according to claim 16, wherein
said attachment assembly comprises a belt having a reusable hook-and-loop
fastener material closure.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The following related commonly owned U.S. patent is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety:
Applicant Ser. No. Filing Date U.S. Pat. No. Issue Date
Hummel 08/695,276 Aug. 5, 1996 5,692,978 Dec. 2, 1997
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to athletic training devices, and
more particularly to training devices for developing specific skills in
volleyball players.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The sport of volleyball originated in the United States around the turn of
the century. Since that time, volleyball has experienced tremendous growth
in popularity and has become an important part of many collegiate and high
school athletic programs as well as an Olympic sport.
A volleyball game is begun by a server hitting or serving a ball over a net
to a receiving team. The receiving team then has three contacts to return
the ball over the net. These three contacts will usually include a pass to
the net area, a set to an attacker, and an attack which usually consists
of a spike across the net, the objective being to hit the ball to the
floor in the opposing team's court area. The opposing team's first line of
defense to the attack is the block. The block may be formed by one, two or
three players depending on the situation and the team's strategy. The
object of the block is to intercept an attacked ball before, during, or
immediately after it crosses the net.
Consequently, an important skill that volleyball players must develop is
the ability to target block and tip the volleyball at the net. Thus,
volleyball coaches have evolved many practice drills to teach these skills
to volleyball players. However, the effectiveness of the drills could be
increased dramatically if an effective training aid were developed that
would simulate placement of a volleyball above the net so that players may
practice target blocking and setters may practice tipping at the net.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a novel volleyball player training device
(block and tip device) especially useful for teaching volleyball players
to target block and tip a volleyball at the volleyball net. The training
device includes a frame which may be removably attached to the volleyball
net by an attachment device, a volleyball, and a support extending
upwardly from the frame for supporting the volleyball above the volleyball
net. During use, a player may block or tip the volleyball causing it to be
pivoted from an upright position wherein it is supported on top of the
support to a displaced position at an angle to the support. A return
mechanism, which includes a spring attached between the volleyball and the
support, returns the volleyball from the displaced position to the upright
position placing it in position to be blocked or tipped again.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are
not restrictive of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which
are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate
an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The numerous objects and advantages of the present invention may be better
understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying
figures in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a training device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention wherein the device includes a single
support and volleyball;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a training device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention wherein the device includes two
supports and volleyballs;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view illustrating the attachment of a training
device, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to a volleyball net;
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view illustrating the
support and volleyball of a training device, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
and
FIG. 5 is an isometric view depicting the attachment of the training
devices of the present invention to a volleyball net wherein the devices
are used in the training of a volleyball player to target block and tip a
volleyball at the net.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention provides a novel volleyball player training device
(block and tip device) especially useful for teaching volleyball players
to block and tip a volleyball at the net. The training device includes a
frame which may be removably attached to the volleyball net by an
attachment device, a volleyball, and a support extending upwardly from the
frame for supporting a volleyball above the volleyball net. During use, a
player may block or tip the volleyball causing it to be pivoted from an
upright position wherein it is supported by the support to a displaced
position at an angle to the support. A return mechanism, which may include
a spring attached between the volleyball and the support, returns the
volleyball from the displaced position to the upright position placing it
in position to be blocked or tipped again. Accordingly, reference will now
be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a volleyball player training device according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein the
device includes a single support and volleyball. This training device 100
is especially useful for training players to perform a single block or to
teach a setter to tip the volleyball at the volleyball net. The training
device 100 includes a frame 110 which may be removably attached to the
volleyball net by an attachment device 112 comprising a belt which may be
wrapped around the upper cable and lower cord of a volleyball net (see
FIG. 3). The frame 110 includes an upper frame member 114, first and
second side frame members 116 & 118, and a lower frame member 120 joined
together so that the periphery of the frame 110 is generally rectangular
in shape. Preferably, when the frame 110 is attached to a volleyball net,
the upper and lower frame members 114 & 120 are oriented so as to be
substantially horizontal to the floor or ground surface of the volleyball
court, and the first and second side frame members 116 & 118 are oriented
so as to be substantially vertical to the floor or ground surface of the
volleyball court. A generally vertical support member 122 may extend
upwardly from the center of the upper frame member 114. The support member
122 may include an upper end 124 having a pedestal or cup 126 for
supporting a volleyball 128 above the volleyball net.
As shown in FIG. 1, a generally L-shaped corner member 130 & 132 may join
an end 134 & 136 of the lower frame member 120 to a lower end 138 & 140 of
each side frame member 116 & 118. Similarly, corner members 142 & 144 may
join an end 146 & 148 of the upper frame member 114 to an upper end 150 &
152 of each side frame members 116 & 118. A generally T-shaped connecting
member 154 may join the lower end 156 of the support member 122 to the
center 158 of the upper frame member 114. For example, the upper frame
member 114 may be divided into two half members 160 & 162 each having an
end 164 & 166 attached to the connecting member 154 and an end 146 & 148
joined to a corner member 142 & 144. Alternatively, the upper frame member
114 may pass through the connecting member 154. According to a preferred
method of construction, the frame members 114, 116, 118 & 120, support
member 122, corner members 130,132,142 & 144, and connecting member 158
may be made of 3/4-inch diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe secured
together by an adhesive or fasteners such as screws, bolts, friction or
interference fit, or the like. Alternatively, however, the entire frame
110 and support member 122 assembly may be of a unitary construction and
may be formed of metal, plastic, composite, wood, or the like.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a volleyball player training device is shown
wherein the device includes two supports and volleyballs. This training
device 200 is especially useful for training players to perform a double
block. The training device 200, like the single training device 100 shown
in FIG. 1, includes a frame 210 which maybe removably attached to the
volleyball net by an attachment device 212. The frame 210 preferably
includes an upper frame member 214, first and second side members 216 &
218, and a lower frame member 220 joined together so that the periphery of
the frame 210 is generally rectangular in shape. Preferably, when the
frame 210 is attached to a volleyball net, the upper and lower frame
members 214 & 220 are oriented so as to be substantially horizontal to the
floor or ground surface of the volleyball court, and the first and second
side frame members 216 & 218 are oriented so as to be substantially
vertical to the floor or ground surface of the volleyball court. A
generally vertical support member 222 & 224 may extend upwardly from each
end of the upper frame member 214. The support members 222 & 224 may each
include an upper end 226 & 228 having a pedestal or cup 230 & 232 for
supporting a volleyball 234 & 236 above the volleyball net. The attachment
device 212 may comprise a belt which may be wrapped around the frame 210
and a volleyball net to removably attach the training device 200 to the
net.
As shown in FIG. 2, a generally L-shaped corner member 238 & 240 may join
end 242 & 244 of the lower frame member 220 to a lower end 246 & 248 of
each side frame members 216 & 218. A generally T-shaped connecting member
250 & 252 may join each end 254 & 256 of the upper frame member 214 to an
upper end 258 & 260 of each of the side frame members 216 & 218. Each
connecting members 250 & 252 may also join a lower end 262 & 264 of each
support member 222 & 224 to an end 254 & 256 of the upper frame member 214
and an upper end 258 & 260 of each side frame members 216 & 218.
Preferably, the frame members 214, 216, 218 & 220, support members 222 &
224, corner members 238 & 240, and connecting members 250 & 252 may be
made of 3/4-inch diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe or tubing attached
together by an adhesive or fasteners such as screws, bolts, friction or
interference fit, or the like. Alternatively, the entire frame 210 and
support member 222 & 224 assembly may be of a unitary construction and may
be formed of metal, plastic, composite, wood, or the like.
Although the present invention is not restricted to specific dimensions, it
is intended that the training devices 100 & 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
will be attachable to a volleyball net conforming with the standards which
are generally used or prescribed by the rules of the sport of volleyball.
For example, the frame of the training device may be approximately 36 to
39 inches high to correspond to the heights of regulation volleyball nets.
Each device preferably positions a volleyball approximately 11 inches
above the top of the net to simulate the approximate height of a
volleyball being hit or spiked by an attacker. However, in some instances
the volleyball may be positioned at an increased or decreased height above
the top of the net to, for example, facilitate training volleyball players
of diverse skill levels and athletic ability. Further, it is possible to
make the height at which the volleyball is placed above the net adjustable
by providing a telescoping support member having a variable length.
Turning now to FIG. 3, attachment of the training device to a volleyball
net is illustrated. The frame 310 of the training device 300 is preferably
the same height as a regulation volleyball net 312 so that it may be
attached to the net's upper cable 314 and lower cord 316. In this manner,
a secure, stable attachment may be provided. Each attachment device 318
preferably comprises a belt 320 having an upper end attached to the frame
and a lower end having a reusable hook-and-loop fastener material closure
322. Preferably, to secure the training device 300 to the volleyball net
312, the frame 310 is placed against the net 312 while the belt 320 is
placed over the upper cable 314 and beneath the lower cord 316 of the
volleyball net 312. The lower end of the belt 320 may then be wrapped
around the lower frame member of the frame 310 and secured to itself via
the hook-and-loop fastener material closure 322. Alternately, the belt may
be wrapped around the entire outer periphery of the frame 310 and
volleyball net 312 (see FIG. 2). Further, although a belt 320 having a
hook-and-loop fastener material closure 322 is disclosed herein as the
preferred means of attachment, the frame 310 may be attached to the
volleyball net via other common attachment means including, for example,
ropes, belts having snaps or buckles, or clips.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the support and volleyball assembly of the
training devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is depicted. The support and
volleyball assembly 400 includes a support member 410 having a cap 412 at
its upper end 414. The cap 412 supports a pedestal or cup assembly 416 in
which the volleyball 418 is secured. Preferably, the cup assembly 416 is
free to rotate or pivot an any direction about a horizontal axis.
During use, a volleyball player may strike the volleyball 418 during a
blocking or tipping exercise causing volleyball 418 and cup assembly 416
to pivot or rotate from a substantially upright position (shown in solid
lines) wherein the volleyball 418 rests on and is supported by the upper
end 414 of the support 410 to a displaced position (shown in phantom
lines) wherein the volleyball is at an angle to the support 410. A return
mechanism 420 may be provided for returning the volleyball from the
displaced position to the substantially upright position. Preferably, the
return mechanism 420 includes a spring 422 mounted within the cap 412 at
the upper end 414 of the support 410. The spring 422 may, for example, be
attached between the volleyball 418 and cap 412 so that when the
volleyball 418 is displaced, the spring 422 causes the volleyball 418 to
be returned to its upright position wherein it may be blocked or tipped
again.
Turning now to FIG. 5, use of the training devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
is shown. A single training device 510, as shown in FIG. 1, and a double
training device 512, as shown in FIG. 2, may be attached at any point
along the volleyball net 514 of the net system 500. Preferably, the
training devices 510 & 512 may be used in numerous exercises or drills for
training volleyball players 516 to target block and tip a volleyball at
the net 514. For example, the single training device 510 may be used in a
drill for training players to perform a single block against an opposing
team's attacker or to teach a setter to tip a volleyball at the net 514.
Similarly, the double training device 512 may be used separately or in
conjunction with the single training device 510 for training players to
perform a double block. Preferably, each volleyball 518 may be attached to
its respective training device 510 & 512. In this manner, the need for a
coach or another player to toss a volleyball to the blocking or tipping
player, or to chase a blocked or tipped volleyball during a blocking or
tipping drill is eliminated.
It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant
advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be
apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and
arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material
advantages. The forms herein before described being merely explanatory
embodiments thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to
encompass and include such changes.
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